New RN need advice.

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Hi Everyone,

I graduated about 2 1/2 years ago and finally just passed my nclex in March 2011. It took me awhile and sometimes I feel embarrassed that it took me this long, but I never gave up. I did take some time off in between studying so that is one of the reasons for the delay plus I had to work to pay off school loans and bills.

I first need advice on what kind of floor is best to start off with? Everyone says starting off on a meg/surg floor is probably the best because you can see a little of everything, experience what bedside nursing is, and practice and perfect in our fundamental skills. I want to start off on a floor where I can build a good basis for my nursing career and use that experience where ever I go.

My second question is since I am technically not a "new grad" anymore, but have no experience is it okay to apply for any nursing job since some jobs don't require experience. Also because I have no experience will I be trained/treated differently from new graduate RN? How long are nurses usually trained for?

If you all can give me some opinion/ advice that would be great. Thanks. :)

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Welcome to these forums!

I'm assured you know that the state of the U.S. economy has changed since you first graduated from nursing school a couple of years ago. Nursing is not recession-proof, and jobs for inexperienced RNs are hard to find in many regions across the country. Therefore, if I were you, I would accept any nursing job offer that you may receive. Beggars cannot be choosers.

I'm going to be straightforward and state that you have several things going against you. First of all, the national economy is dismal at the present time, and nursing jobs have been affected. Secondly, HR managers and recruiters are going to be very suspicious of the nurse who graduated more than two years ago and has never actually worked as a nurse. Unfortunately, you are no longer considered a new nurse, even though you do not have experience. According to your profile, you are in Texas, and all of the major metropolitan areas in the Lone Star State (Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio) have ultra-competitive nursing job markets and plenty of unemployed nurses.

In addition, look outside the box. Skilled nursing facilities, home health, hospice, clinics, doctors offices, jails, and other non-hospital environments might be more open to hiring someone without experience. Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Med-surg, ER, agency, rehab, oc health..

Med surg does provide a strong grounding.... But it may take a year to get to med surg. Some other ideas as to where to look.... Try Long Term Acute Care (Vent and Wound hospitals), Plasma banks, School nursing, Rehab facilities, Drug rehab facilities, use your imagination!

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Specializes in post-op.

I would consider you a new nurse, since you have never worked as one before and I think your pay/orientation would be that of a new grad. As far as getting hired, just be honest about your situation, if you were working then at least you have that. If you are unsure what "specialty" you would like, I do think that Med/Surg is a good place to start. I am not sure about what others are saying in regards to job shortages, I live in western NY and there seem to be nursing jobs here. Good luck!

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Let me begin by saying congrats on passing your boards. Do not focus on latter of not passing many years you have passed now and move forward with that. People achieve there goals at different levels. Nursing for new grads is difficult to obtain job placement at this time during the economic turmoils that are taking place. Take the job that arises and move forward. Do not dwell on the length of time it took you to pass and much success to you.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

At first, Congratulations to you passing NCLEX!!!! I can't imagine how anxious you have been to take this board exam since your graduation.

Don't be embarassed about waiting until now to take the exam. Everyone is different, take different times.

Med-surg is a good place to see what type of nursing you want to do later in your career.

while you are taking care of various patients, you heart will geared toward certain disease population.

If you want to work in an hospital environment, go for it. You never know until you try it, so don't be hesitate about you not being the new grad. In my opinion, either a new grad or an old grad, they are the same newbies in

being a nurse.

I am impressed that you didn't give up!!!

As matter of a fact, the nursing recruiter may see this as a positive point in you.

Good luck!!!! :nurse:

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Thanks. I appreciate everyone's advice.

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Specializes in Ortho and Tele med/surg.

Well, I'm sorry to say but I COMPLETELY DISAGREE WITH THE COMMUTER!!!!! I live in San Antonio and this girl can get a job fairly easily. It's not true everywhere!!! Come to San Antonio!!!!

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Go to San Antonio. I am graduated in 2009 and could not get a job in Dallas or Houston. Sent out about 30 apps. I applied at one hospital in San Antonio and got the job in two weeks in the ER.

dont think there i going to be a windfall of jobs for you. everyone is moving to Texas but they are moving to Dallas, Houston, and Austin where there are no nursing jobs for new grads. there are thousands of applicants. u will be suprised when you start looking how many calls u will NOT get.

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